Topical Encyclopedia Throughout the biblical narrative, cities often became heaps of ruins as a result of divine judgment, warfare, or abandonment. This theme underscores the transient nature of human achievements and the consequences of sin and disobedience against God.Divine Judgment One of the most prominent examples of a city becoming a heap of ruins due to divine judgment is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. These cities were infamous for their wickedness, and God decided to destroy them as a result. Genesis 19:24-25 states, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground." The complete obliteration of these cities serves as a stark warning against immorality and defiance of God's laws. Warfare and Conquest The conquest of Canaan by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership also led to many cities being reduced to ruins. Jericho is a notable example, where the walls famously fell after the Israelites marched around the city for seven days. Joshua 6:20 records, "So when the rams’ horns sounded, the people shouted. And when they heard the blast of the horn, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it." The destruction of Jericho was a fulfillment of God's promise to give the land to the Israelites and a demonstration of His power. Similarly, the city of Ai was destroyed after an initial defeat due to Achan's sin. Once the sin was addressed, God gave the Israelites victory. Joshua 8:28 notes, "So Joshua burned Ai and made it a permanent heap of ruins, a desolation to this day." Prophetic Fulfillment Prophets often foretold the destruction of cities as a consequence of their inhabitants' sins. The city of Babylon, once a symbol of human pride and idolatry, was prophesied to become desolate. Isaiah 13:19-20 declares, "And Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah. It will never be inhabited or settled from generation to generation; no nomad will pitch his tent there, no shepherd will rest his flock there." Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, was another city prophesied to become a ruin. Nahum 3:7 states, "Then all who see you will recoil from you, saying, ‘Nineveh is devastated; who will mourn for her?’ Where can I find anyone to comfort you?" This prophecy was fulfilled when Nineveh fell to the Babylonians and Medes. Symbolism and Lessons The transformation of cities into heaps of ruins serves as a powerful symbol of the consequences of sin and the sovereignty of God over human affairs. These events remind believers of the importance of obedience to God's commandments and the futility of relying on human strength and achievements. The ruins stand as a testament to the reality of divine justice and the ultimate triumph of God's purposes in history. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 25:2For you have made of a city an heap; of a defended city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Old Testament and Archeology The Prophet Micah. The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty Ancient Chaldaea The Rise of the Assyrian Empire The City of Benares. The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued) The Close of the Theban Empire The First Theban Empire Resources What were the cities of refuge in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgWhat were Admah and Zeboiim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Why did Jesus mention Tyre and Sidon in Luke 10:14? | GotQuestions.org Cities: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Cities of Refuge of the Hope of the Gospel Cities of Refuge: (The Way To) Christ Cities of Refuge: Afforded No Asylum to Murderers Cities of Refuge: Required to Be: Easy of Access Cities of Refuge: Required to Be: Open to all Manslayers Cities of Refuge: Strangers Might Take Advantage of Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to not Protected Outside of Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to Obliged to Remain In, Until the High Priest's Death Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to Were Put on Their Trial Cities were Called For: The Country in Which Built Cities were Called For: The Family of the Founder Cities were Called For: The Proprietor of the Land Cities were Frequently: Besieged Cities were Frequently: Burned Cities were Frequently: Depopulated Cities were Frequently: Made Heaps of Ruins Cities were Frequently: Pillaged Cities were Frequently: Razed and Sown With Salt Cities were Frequently: Stormed Cities were Frequently: Wasted by Famine Cities were Frequently: Wasted by Pestilence Cities: A Great Defence to a Country Cities: Afforded Refuge in Times of Danger Cities: Arranged in Streets and Lanes Cities: Artificial Mode of Supplying Water To Cities: Built in Desert Places Cities: Built in Pleasant Situations Cities: Built of Brick and Mortar Cities: Built of Brick and Slime Cities: Built of Stone and Wood Cities: Built with Compactness Cities: Built: Often of a Square Form Cities: Built: On Solid Foundations Cities: Designated as Merchant Cities: Designated as Treasure Cities: Designed for Habitations Cities: Different Kinds of Chariot Cities: Different Kinds of Commercial Cities: Different Kinds of Fenced Cities: Different Kinds of Levitical Cities: Different Kinds of Refuge Cities: Different Kinds of Royal Cities: Different Kinds of Store Cities: Different Kinds of Treasure Cities: Difficulty of Taking, Alluded To Cities: Government of, by Rulers Cities: Inhabitants of, Called Citizens Cities: Often Built to Perpetuate a Name Cities: Often Deserted on the Approach of an Enemy Cities: Often Fortified by Art Cities: Often Fortified by Nature Cities: Often Founded and Enlarged by Blood and Rapine Cities: Often Great and Goodly Cities: Often of Great Antiquity Cities: Prosperity of, Increased by Commerce Cities: Protected at Night by Watchmen Related Terms Chariot-cities (3 Occurrences) Treasure-cities (1 Occurrence) Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) |
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